I think, to an extent, Western-style liberal democracy is never going to work in China. In any big country, it has a nearly universal tendency to turn into oligarchy.
Liberal democracy is oligarchic period. Liberal legal frameworks exist to allow the rich to control the playing field.
If you look back at the first comment I made on this thread, you’ll see that this is exactly what I said. Liberal democracy has a historic tendency to turn into oligarchy.
You said “in any big country.”
Direct democracy works fabulously in small communes.
That is true, but you might notice that there is some space between these two categories. Germany is a pretty small country, and it’s also an oligarchy.
I think you missed her point, she’s saying that westerners have a narrow view of what even counts as “democracy”.
I mean, certainly one could pick out a few test cases to indicate a democracy. Do the citizens have the apparent right to…
- criticize the government freely
- due process and unpartial justice
- fair treatment of minority groups
- run for office when qualified
- free press
The US has a lot of headwinds on this short list but at least I am aware of the atrocities it has committed, can ask questions without being disappeared, and can theoretically run for office without being shot. Our democracy is ugly as hell, but at least I can see it. I question all governments that claim some higher ground.